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Norwalk Police Dept. Gains 4 New Officers

NPD now at full force

"It's a honor to serve on such a wonderful department and now you've become part of a new family," said Mayor Harry Rilling.

Four new police officers joined the Norwalk Police Department Thursday morning, bring the Police department to full force for the first time in years. With the hiring of these four officers, the department is now fully staffed at 178 sworn officers.

Chief Thomas Kulhawik said "Staffing is important as far as finances because we provide security and staffing based on our needs, which sometimes requires overtime if we are short staffed. Having a full staff once these people graduate from the academy, it allows to have the resources necessary to provide the City [with officers] without extra cost to the tax payers."

The new officers will attend the Bridgeport Police Training Academy for 27 weeks.

Newly sworn in Officer John Petrafesa said, "I've know pretty much my whole life this is what I wanted to do with my career. The process was very demanding, a lot of time waiting to hear back from people and I'm just excited that I got through."

Chief Kulhawik said "I just hope they enjoy the job as much as I have, that's the biggest thing. You have to really like what you're doing. If you don't you're not going to be successful and I can see in the people in their eyes that this is something they want to do."